Chapter 107 Wontons
Nan Zhiyi was a little confused: "Didn't you just see a doctor at the military hospital?"
“The conditions here are better.” Gu Xiao looked at her, his eyes steady. “The equipment is more complete, and the doctors are more experienced. The obstetrics and gynecology department at the military hospital is still a bit weak.”
What he didn't say was that Commander Gu had instructed his secretary last night to contact the director of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the Jian'an Military Region General Hospital to ensure that his daughter-in-law received a comprehensive examination.
"Moreover, they have ultrasound equipment here."
Nan Zhiyi felt a surge of anticipation at the thought of being able to "see" the child, and nodded in agreement.
The Jian'an Military Region General Hospital was indeed much more impressive, with people coming and going.
With Nan Zhiyi by his side, Gu Xiao easily found the gray-haired, kind-looking head of the obstetrics and gynecology department.
The doctor inquired about the situation in detail, conducted basic examinations, and then wrote out a referral: "Go to the ultrasound room. You're at the right stage of pregnancy, so it should be clear now."
The ultrasound room is in another building, which makes it seem somewhat mysterious.
The room was dimly lit, with only a large, milky-white machine displaying its screen and emitting a low hum.
The female doctor in the white coat gestured for Nan Zhiyi to lie down on the examination bed covered with a disposable mat, exposing her lower abdomen.
The cool coupling gel made Nan Zhiyi flinch as it was applied to her skin.
Gu Xiao held her hand tightly the whole time, standing beside the examination bed, staring at the small, flickering gray screen.
“Look here,” the female doctor pointed to the screen, “this is the gestational sac.” She then moved the probe, pointing to a small white dot that was flashing rapidly and regularly in the shadows, “Look, it’s flashing, that’s the fetal heartbeat.”
The female doctor examined the fetus carefully from several angles, measured some data, and finally said, "The fetal heartbeat is very good, the size of the gestational sac is in line with the gestational age, and the development is normal."
She picked up the thermal printer next to her, and with a few clicks, printed out a narrow strip of paper with a black image and a few lines of data.
Nan Zhiyi sat up, and Gu Xiao helped her wipe off the coupling gel on her stomach.
Gu Xiao carefully folded the report and put it into the inner pocket of his military uniform. Then he took Nan Zhiyi back to find the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department to ask her in detail about Nan Zhiyi's severe morning sickness.
The chief physician gave some dietary advice, saying that many symptoms would improve after three months, and advised the patient to rest more and keep a good mood.
Stepping out of the hospital building, the winter sun shone warmly on me.
The ultrasound report with its blurry image was like a reassurance, securely tucked into Gu Xiao's inner shirt pocket.
He turned his head to look at Nan Zhiyi beside him. Her pale cheeks glowed with a faint pink in the sunlight, and the corners of her mouth were slightly curved.
His long-strained emotions began to relax.
Are you hungry?
Nan Zhiyi patted her stomach, her eyes bright as she nodded: "Mmm, I'm hungry!"
Seeing that she had a rare appetite, Gu Xiao felt even more at ease.
“I remember you used to love eating the fresh meat wontons at the Third Restaurant.”
"How did you know?" Nan Zhiyi asked curiously.
Gu Xiao didn't reply, but took her hand and said, "It's not far from here, just a short walk. You haven't had this in a long time, why don't you try it?"
This restaurant is a long-established state-owned restaurant under the Jian'an City Catering Service Company. Although the signboard has changed, the chef in charge of cooking is still the same person from the original "Lao Shunxing" restaurant, and the skills have not been lost.
"OK!"
She pulled her thick wool scarf up even higher, covering half of her face, leaving only her smiling, crescent-shaped eyes visible.
The "State-Run Third Restaurant" is indeed not far away. Just cross two streets and you can see the blue sign with white lettering, which exudes a public-owned atmosphere.
A large pot of milky white bone broth was bubbling at the entrance, emitting a rich aroma.
The shop has seven or eight square wooden tables and long benches painted green, and the floor is rough cement.
It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was quite crowded, with voices and the clatter of bowls and chopsticks all mixed together.
Gu Xiao helped Nan Zhiyi squeeze in and found a secluded corner to sit down.
A waitress in a white uniform came over with a small notebook, her expression indifferent: "What would you like to eat?" Her attitude was neither enthusiastic nor neglectful.
"Two bowls of wontons, one with fresh pork and one with three kinds of seafood."
"Fresh meat wontons cost 12 cents plus 2 ounces of grain coupons, and three kinds of seafood wontons cost 15 cents plus 2 ounces of grain coupons."
Gu Xiao took out money and food coupons from his pocket, counted them out, and handed them over.
The waiter took the money and fare, scribbled a couple of times in his notebook, tore off a greasy receipt, and placed it on the table: "Wait here."
After waiting a while, two steaming bowls of wontons were brought over by another waiter.
Nan Zhiyi's bowl was filled with crystal-clear bone broth, topped with bright green scallions and a few drops of sesame oil. The thin-skinned, tender wontons floated in the soup like little white flowers.
The portions at state-run stores are generous, and the wontons are quite large.
She carefully blew on it, scooped up a piece, and put it in her mouth.
The familiar flavor melted instantly on my tongue—fresh, fragrant, and smooth, with a hint of peppery spiciness—it instantly awakened my taste buds.
She squinted her eyes contentedly and ate in small bites.
Gu Xiao didn't rush to pick up his chopsticks. Seeing her eating so heartily, the sense of satisfaction he felt was even more comforting than when he ate the most exquisite delicacies himself.
Nan Zhiyi ate a little more than half a bowl, feeling warm and full in her stomach. She put down her spoon, smiled at Gu Xiao, and said, "I'm full."
"Um."
Gu Xiao didn't force her at all. He reached out and took her bowl, scooping two untouched wontons from his own bowl into hers. "Try two of these?"
Then he scooped the remaining pork wontons from her bowl into his own and ate them.
Nan Zhiyi felt a warm glow in her heart as she watched his smooth and effortless movements, but also felt a little shy. She lowered her head and ate the two small wontons.
After eating and drinking her fill, she wrapped her scarf around herself again, burying most of her face in the soft wool.
Looking at her cautious demeanor, Gu Xiao felt a pang of regret.
He never gave up on investigating his parents-in-law's wrongful conviction, and secretly asked people to investigate through his father's old connections.
Several key figures who handled the Revolutionary Committee back then have long been transferred or gone into hiding, evidence has been destroyed, witnesses have scattered, and there is a great deal of resistance.
But it wasn't all without progress; some promising clues emerged...
The situation is still unclear, and there is no conclusive evidence. He cannot tell her, for fear of disappointing her or alerting her and putting her in danger.
We can only wait, wait for the day when the truth comes out.
"Let's go."
When he led her back to the Gu family's small building, it was almost noon.
After having lunch with her, Gu Xiao said, "I have some errands to run, I'll be back this afternoon."
Nan Zhiyi nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
Gu Xiao changed into casual clothes and went out.
The afternoon sun streamed lazily through the glass window, casting its rays onto the bedroom floor.
Nan Zhiyi leaned back on the sofa, holding an old magazine in her hand, her eyelids feeling heavy.
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